Otome: What It Is and What It Isn't

Hello, there! If you’ve joined Otome Amino, it probably means you’re (a) a fan of otome or (b) interested in becoming one. Regardless of which reason it was, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting into. I know many of you have probably skimmed over the community description and might not have paid much attention to it or you didn’t understand everything in it. Hopefully this blog will clear things up. Even if you’re confident that you know what otome is, it’s a good thing to give this a look!

Amnesia: Memories

»»»»» Searching for the keyword “otome” on Google gives you a pretty good idea of what otome is already. Here’s a definition from Wikipedia:

“An otome game (乙女ゲーム otome gēmu?, literally "maiden game") is a story based video game that is targeted towards the female market. Generally one of the goals, besides the main plot goal, is to develop a romantic relationship between the female player character and one of several male characters. This genre is most established in Japan, and is mostly made up of visual novels and simulation games; particularly dating sims and life simulation games.”

That explains enough, doesn’t it? In other words, it’s a female-oriented game that allows the player to control the main character’s choices and choose one of several men to pursue. The choices change actions or words and further the main character’s romantic relationship with the man chosen. Think love simulation and visual novel.

»»»»» Here are examples of some famous otome:

Code: Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~

Code: Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~ (for PS Vita) revolves around a girl who stays hidden in a mansion on the outskirts of London because her body carries a poison that melts or rots anything it comes into contact with. She’s spirited away by a thief when the Royal Guard attempts to capture her and meets other handsome men on her journey away from home to find her father and answers to her strange skin condition.

Love Academy

Love Academy (for iPhone and Android) is your not-so-average high school romance with a seemingly ordinary girl attending a school that only the most talented and outstanding students from around the world go to. Of course, she meets many attractive boys that catch her attention.

You get the gist of it. You play as a girl, meet some hot boys, and do the wooing by choosing what to say or what to do in a controlled simulation while experiencing a roller coaster of feels.

A Lady's Choice

»»»»» Note: even though otome is a Japanese word, Otome Amino is not restricted to games that are Japanese in origin. We use the word “otome” because this entire game genre came from Japan. Most of the games that are discussed here were released in Japan first and then translated into English. Otome or love simulation games for women are slowly becoming more popular in other countries, and there are a lot of non-Japanese developers that are making their own romantic visual novels in the same style. Those are okay to post about on Otome Amino.

Seduce Me The Otome

»»»»» Also, while the Wikipedia definition of otome refers to games that are primarily GxB (girl pursues boy), Otome Amino is open to games that allow GxG and BxB relationships as well. More games are allowing the MC to have homosexual relationships. Likewise, we are fine with posts about dating simulation games geared toward the male audience as long as they follow community guidelines.

The Empty Orchestra

»»»»» Another thing: otome traditionally refers to games involving multiple suitors. There are a few visual novels that only have one love interest. Otome Amino is open to posts about such games as long as the MC is able to make choices to change the storyline and there is more than one possible ending.

Uta no Prince-sama

You’ve probably noticed some manga and anime pics floating around here, and that is also appropriate for Otome Amino PROVIDED THAT these manga and anime are otome-related. That is, they must be based on otome or have an upcoming otome adaptation. (The first condition is more likely, though.) A few otome have manga or anime versions made to promote the corresponding games. That’s simple enough to understand, isn’t it?

»»»»» While patrolling the latest feed, we’ve noticed that there are quite a few new users who post content that isn’t related to otome. Some haven’t read the rules, but others genuinely don’t know what otome is: that is, they thought they knew what it was but they were wrong. If the information from above isn’t already hammered in, maybe addressing the incorrect assumptions will help:

»»»»» Does “otome” refer to anything Japanese?

No! That’s wrong! I don’t even know where that answer came from. Maybe this has to do with the language barrier. Users who don’t know enough Japanese might apply certain words to things that don’t have the same meaning. “Otome” does NOT describe everything of Japanese origin. Anime and manga are not equal to otome. It needs to check in with the definition from the top of the post.

»»»»» So otome is anything with romance?

Again, no. Otome definitely has romantic elements, but not everything romantic is an otome. If there’s blossoming love in a manga, that’s cool, but if there’s no actual game involved, don’t post it. That brings me to the next assumption…

»»»»» Basically, anime/manga/games with a lot of handsome men are otome?

That is incorrect. Once again, the game element with love simulation / visual novel feel must be present. That means even if the content contains a plot or story that is a lot like an otome to you, unless there is an actual game involved or there will be a game in the future, that isn’t otome.

For example, though the anime Free! has many extremely good-looking male characters, it isn’t an otome. First of all, there isn’t a female main character trying to get with one of them. (In fact, most people who watch Free! ship the guys with each other.) Secondly, this show isn’t based on a love simulation game nor has a game in the works.

Here is where it gets a little more specific, though. Free! doesn’t have an otome adaptation, but there are some incomplete fanmade ones. You could post about those if you wanted to. But to talk about Free! in general (“I love this show”, “What do y’all think of Rei-chan”) is more suited for Anime Amino than Otome Amino.

This one is a little trickier. Yes, the main character is female and surrounded by guys that want to date her following her beautiful physical transformation. She’s even an otaku that is likely interested in otome (though BL). However, this still isn’t relevant to otome because this manga/anime is not based on a love simulation game and there’s no news of one being made.

»»»»» It’s very possible to blog about series that you wish were otome, though. We made a challenge for that here if you’re interested.

(3) There are one or more character graphics as part of the storyline to reward the player.

If after some research you’re still unsure if what you want to post is otome-related, you can post your queries below or send a message to someone on the leadership team. We’ll be happy to answer your questions.

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I often watch a //lot// of otome anime. Anime based on otome games, such as uta-pri and brothers conflict. Would reviewing these anime adaptations be off topic at all? I just want to be clear on this because I love doing reviews/analysis c: thanks!

I think its important to note that the Japanese definition (i.e. 乙女ゲーム、 オトゲ、 ect.) can also meam rhythm games. While the english wording of otome game strictly means dating sims aimed at a female audience ;)

The games the girls mentioned before me can't have entries here? I mean, they are not solely otome games, but they do have some "otome features" as in being able to pursue and earn points with a specific guy, although they're mostly RPG, some do seem to have a visual novel feel to it.

If you wish to talk about the otome elements in particular, that's fine. But talking about the overall game and veering off toward the adventure and other stuff is not relevant. For example, if someone were to make a post about otome characteristics in non-otome, that would be alright. If someone were to make a post dedicated to Fire Emblem and all its strategies, then throw in a bit about the otome features, that would be off topic.